The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-05-01
ONLY A WOMAK'S ROW.
THE Ex4Cr TRUTH ABOUr THE RUM
PDS IN 81. JOHNS.

How Mas Hike was Selected TO Sing So
prano in Place oil Miss NeIson-GOssip
About the Rector's Marriage makes
Trouble in His Household.
&c There is no connection whatever
said conspicuous member of ST. Johns
Episcopal Church en- Summit avenue, yes
terday, to a SUNDAY MORNING News re-
porter, "between the resignation of Mr..
and Mrs. Moulton from the st. Cecilia
Society, which you know is the other name
for st. Johns Church choir, and the resig-
nation of Rsg Mr.. Sterling, the Asst slant
Rector of the church. The designations
have no relation whatever to each other.
Mr.. and Mrs. Moulton resigned because
they were not satisfied with the selection
of Miss Hike to replace Miss Nelson. The
resignation of Mr.. Sterling was but the out
cropping of domestic disagreement"
SUNDAY Morning News repor tiers who
spent the biggest part of two days in eff
forts to get at the bottom facts of the disa-
greements, found their assumpui on that
their inquiries might disclose some
thing sensational, baseless, and the trouble
Whatever there is of it rather-i5 of
mghty little interest or Importance. Miss
Nelson had been the soprano OF the choir
for many years. She has voice of Won
derful compass and sweetness. This year
came limitations that she had found a
more lucrative position in Newark
church, With rumors of her approaching
resignation. and after a season her resigna-
ton was presented There are some in
thonhr,rof Ohio hall aua that hpr
that the resignation would lead to the offer
of an increased salary; but if that was her
hope it WAS disappointed. 1t had been
no sooner offered than motion for its &C
ceptance was agreed to. Having so, on
her own motion dispensed with the ladys
services, it became necessary to select
new soprano. There were six or seven ap-
plicants, and trial of their voices was had.
But two of them approached the require
ments. They were Mics Hike and
Miss MeGinnis. The latter lady is a
Catholic, singing now in ST. Marys
Church Miss Hike is on East
from the west to equip herself for operate
singing. They song BE- fore party of thirty
or forty ladies and gentlemen. Either lady
was an excellent singer bat Miss Hike
read the church music, to Which she was
unaccustomed, with more ease even than
Miss McGinnis After the trial, the qnes-
ton as to who was the better fitted or the
two for the place was submitted to the
audience. These had really no voice in the
choice of the anger, for that duty lay alona
with Rector Ssoddarc, who is, e 0fieso,
Choir M aster but then he desired to aave
his Judgment reinforced by That of other
competent critics, and, 50, be took the
sense of those present. Twenty-three
voted in favor of Miss Hike; four voted
for Miss McGlnnis, and Miss Hike was
engaged. 1t is said that orgainst Louis
Dressler and Nj. and Mrs. Mouiton were
warm partisans of Mss McGuinness. Mr.
Dressler has gracefully acquiesed in the
inevitable; but Mr.. and Mrs. Moulton
carried their feeling so far that when the
selection was made against their prefer
the church. of course.
''And," said one gentlemen yesterday,
g they will soon be back in the choir They
can't be IL church without singing-they
are so enamored of the occupation.
r. ctor Stoddard is regarded as primarily
responsible for the excellent selection that
has been made to replace Miss Nelson and
the little faction in the church WHO have
been talking about him under their breaths,
seem TO have seized upon the selection as
a preteXb for y more out-spoken opposition.
Two or three months ago the approaching
We ling Of Rector Stod lard to Hiss Clara
Bumsted was announced in the co.ua
the SUNDAY MoRNING News. Some or tue
ladies IN the congregation, especially the
ladies who had manageable daughters that
were ambitious TO be wives of minister.
made no their mind at once that that was
very reprshensibls thing for Rev Mr.
Stoddard to do-that it was, indeed, per-
fectly horried Of him y
Assistant rector ESteriing IS the warm
friend of the rector; but Mrs. Sterling IS
one of those who have made the approach
ing marriage the subject of remark. Rev
Mr.. Sterling found himself between two
fires. He had no reason for antagonizing
Mr.. Stoddard He could not, as hus-
band, place himself in anagonism to his
wife; and finally he cut the Gordian knot
by sending his resignation to the vestry.
Ii was surprise to the controlling Board
of the church, No one had expected it.
No one had the smallest intimation that it
was comiag. Some practical business men,
who believe in taking people at their
words, urged the acceptance OF the resigIe-
ton; but mora generous councils pre-
vailed, and it was fiaelly referred. No one
knows on what basis compromise has |
been made, but it is understood that for
the PRESENT at least, the resignation has
been. Withdrawn.
a S5,Oe0,0o0 0aer REFUSED.